Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act

NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that KENNIE SANTOS-PAYANO, age 25, a resident of Kissimmee, Florida, pleaded guilty on May 27, 2021 to a one count Indictment, charging him with possession with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride. 

The Honorable District Court Judge Mary Ann Vial Lemmon will sentence SANTOS-PAYANO on September 23, 2021. SANTOS-PAYANO, if convicted, faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years up to a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, and at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. 

The case was investigated by the Office of Homeland Security Investigations and the Louisiana State Police.  Assistant United States Attorney Bayonle Osundare is prosecuting the matter.